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Cooling Tower Water Treatment Test Kit Complies With Ny Legionella Law - 25 Jul 2019 10:11

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Updates increase number of completely excavated ash ponds to 19 with 10 others being closed in place using advanced engineering methods and closure technologies; Company remains focused on protecting water quality and Georgia waterways during closure and beyondAtlanta, GA /PRNewswire/ - Georgia Power announced today updated, site-specific closure plans for ash ponds at Plants Branch and Bowen as part of its efforts to safely and permanently close 29 ash ponds at 11 current and former coal-fired power plants across the state. Based on continued engineering and analysis, the company has increased the total number of ash ponds to be completely excavated to 19 from 17, including all ash ponds located adjacent to lakes or rivers, with the remaining 10 being closed in place using advanced engineering methods and closure technologies."Permanently closing our ash ponds is about more than compliance for Georgia Power, it's about a persistent focus on making the best decisions for our customers, at each individual site and for our neighboring communities," said Dr. Mark Berry, vice president of Environmental & Natural Resources for Georgia Power. "Our multiyear closure strategy is aggressive and we are making great progress, while remaining committed to working quickly and safely, protecting water quality every step of the way and complying with state and federal requirements."Georgia Power first announced its intention to permanently close all of its ash ponds in September 2015, with initial plans released in June 2016 including the complete removal of ash from 16 of 29 ash ponds. Throughout the closure process, the company has remained dedicated to protecting water quality and the state's waterways by making, and refining, site-specific closure decisions that balance multiple factors such as pond size, location, geology and amount of material. The company is meeting or exceeding all regulations regarding ash ponds and landfills in the state, and adhering to a comprehensive permitting program through which the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) approves actions related to ash pond closures. Each closure will also be certified by independent, professional engineers.At Plant Branch, near Milledgeville, the company plans to completely excavate the ash ponds onsite, then store the ash in a new, lined landfill on plant property. The planned landfill will be fully permitted and regulated by Georgia EPD. This updated closure plan allows the company to preserve the option to better recycle the ash in the future and maximizes the potential for future redevelopment or sale of the site. More than 60 percent of the coal ash Georgia Power produces today is recycled for various beneficial uses such as Portland cement, concrete and cinder blocks.At Plant Bowen, near Cartersville, the company has completed a thorough study of the site and its 250-acre ash pond, including local geology and closure logistics. Based on this updated evaluation, the company plans to permanently close the ash pond by excavating the ash and installing a synthetic liner to create a new, lined ash storage facility onsite that will be fully permitted and regulated by Georgia EPD. Ash pond closure processes continue to progress at all other Georgia Power properties. As of August 2018, the company has completed closure construction activities and removed all ash from five ash ponds at Plants Branch, Kraft, McDonough and Yates. Additionally, construction activities are currently underway at multiple sites with closure construction efforts expected to be completed at six additional ash ponds at Plants McDonough, McManus, Hammond and Yates this year.Protecting Water Quality Throughout Ash Pond Closure ProcessSince 2016, Georgia Power has installed approximately 500 groundwater monitoring wells around its ash ponds and on-site landfills to actively monitor groundwater quality. Monitoring is being conducted in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. The company has also engaged independent, third-party contractors for sampling and accredited independent laboratories for analysis. The first round of testing was completed with results published in August 2016, more than 18 months ahead of federal requirements, and the company continues to post testing results on Georgia Power's website and report them to the Georgia EPD. Based on the extensive data collected, the company has identified no risk to public health or drinking water.Georgia Power's commitment to protecting the water quality of surface waters, such as lakes and rivers, includes comprehensive and customized dewatering processes during ash pond closures. As announced in August 2017, Georgia Power's efforts to dewater its ash ponds are well underway and, similar to the process in place for groundwater monitoring, results are posted to Georgia Power's website and reported to the Georgia EPD. The company's dewatering process treats the water removed from the ash ponds to ensure that it meets or exceeds the requirements of each plant's wastewater discharge permits approved by the Georgia EPD and is protective of applicable water quality standards. Read more here.Ensuring Reliable Energy Throughout Ash Pond Closure ProcessThe company continues to work to ensure reliable electric service for customers during the significant construction activity that must take place at each coal-fired generating plant to accommodate the handling of dry ash while also completing the ash pond closure process. These efforts include conducting work when the plants are on planned outages or as customer demand allows operations to accommodate the work. In 2016, the company announced that all ash ponds will stop receiving coal ash in three years and the significant construction work necessary to accommodate the dry-handling of ash is on track to be completed in 2019.Georgia Power delivers clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through a diverse generation mix, which includes renewable energy, such as wind and solar, along with natural gas, nuclear and coal-fired generation. Over the last five years, Georgia Power has safely retired or fuel-switched approximately 4,000 MW of coal and oil-fired generation and the company's coal-fired generation capacity is nearly half of what it was in 2005.About Georgia PowerGeorgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE : SO ), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the Company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the method and timing of planned closure of coal ash ponds. Georgia Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future federal and state regulatory changes, including environmental laws and regulations governing air, water, land, and protection of other natural resources, and also changes in tax and other laws and regulations to which Georgia Power Company is subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws and regulations; current and future litigation or regulatory investigations, proceedings, or inquiries; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction and operation of facilities; the ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses and to satisfy any environmental performance standards; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations, including rate actions relating to fuel and other cost recovery mechanisms; catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events such as influenzas, or other similar occurrences; and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information. - Comments: 0

Title 24 Chapter 8 Proposes to Alter How Nyc Operates Cooling Towers - 25 Jul 2019 09:32

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Company plans to serve more sewer plants in New Jersey and other statesPenns Grove, NJ /PRNewswire/ - Today, Keystone Power Holdings, LLC (Keystone) and Penns Grove Sewerage Authority (PGSA) announced the completion of a solar energy project that will significantly reduce the sewer authority's energy costs. Keystone developed, financed, and owns the system; PGSA buys the power that is generated by Keystone at a discount to current utility rates. The system is installed on land that is on and adjacent to PGSA's wastewater treatment plant. Annual production is anticipated to be approximately 250,000 kilowatt hours (Kwh) of energy.hair-shampoos-12-638.jpg?cb=1431491042 "It was a pleasure to work with Penns Grove Sewerage Authority on this challenging project. We were able to find good space to go solar in a built-up area with little available land in a flood plain," said Anthony Fotopoulos, co-founder of Keystone Power Holdings. "We continue to deepen our experience in developing solar projects on complex sites and look forward to building partnerships for similar projects across the mid-Atlantic and in Illinois, our newest market.""Keystone Power Holdings was a great partner in this project," said Paul Morris, Chairman of Penns Grove Sewerage Authority. "Keystone worked with many complex dynamics, delivering a project that enables us to save money while lessening our impact on the environment. We now enjoy energy savings of over 30% ? a solid contribution to the Sewerage Authority and our constituents."Keystone is able to monetize tax credits for owning the system and selling power to PGSA. The system is also subsidized by the New Jersey Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program (SREC). SRECs exist in other states, including Illinois, where Keystone is partnering with several other municipalities and sewerage authorities that are planning solar energy projects in 2019.About Keystone Power HoldingsKeystone Power Holdings, LLC is a renewable energy developer and owner of solar energy facilities. We specialize in developing medium to large-scale photovoltaic solar systems across North America. We develop facilities for our clients on their properties, either on the ground or rooftop, while passing on savings. For more information email moc.hpenotsyek|ofni#moc.hpenotsyek|ofni or visit our website at www.keystoneph.com.About Penns Grove Sewerage AuthorityThe Penns Grove Sewerage Authority is a wastewater treatment system located in Penns Grove, New Jersey, very close to the Delaware river. Founded in 1958, PGSA protects public health and the environment by the effective treatment and disposal of wastewater, while operating in a fiscally responsible manner. - Comments: 0

How Bacteria Can aid The Prevention Of Coal Ash Spills - 25 Jul 2019 08:59

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This past summer New York City experienced the worst Legionnaires? disease outbreak in its recorded history. In what is now being referred to as the NYC Legionella Outbreak of 2015, more than 130 people were sickened and 16 people tragically died. In an effort to keep the public safe, both the City and State of New York passed emergency legislation designed to regulate the operation and maintenance of cooling towers. Today, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) seeks to make those emergency provisions stronger and lasting; and will hold a public hearing to discuss and pass their newly proposed rules. The hearing will take place from 10AM to 12PM on January 4, 2016 at DOHMH headquarters in Long Island City. Once the hearing is over, the DOHMH will modify the rules based on the public?s feedback, if necessary, and then draft a final version. A copy is then published in the City Record and submitted to the City Council where it will be voted on to become law. This legislation will have an effect on the operation procedures of any building that operates a cooling, as well as the water treatment companies and environmental consulting firms that service them.CURRENT NYC COOLING TOWER LAW TO COMBAT LEGIONELLATo deal with the serious issue of legionella in cooling towers, on August 18th, 2015 in New York City, the City Council and Mayor de Blasio enacted Local Law 77 of 2015. Legionnaires? disease is said to have a case fatality rate of 5-30%. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were between 8,000 and 18,000 cases of LD in the United States annually, and that more than 10% of cases are fatal. (Learn more here: What is legionella?)Local Law 77 added a new Article 317 to Title 28 of the Administrative Code that required owners of cooling towers to register them with the Department of Buildings (DOB) by September 17, 2015. Towers must be inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected in accordance with new Administrative Code ?17-194.1 and rules adopted by the DOB. Owners and operators of cooling towers must annually certify to the Department that their cooling towers have been inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected and that a management and maintenance program has been developed and implemented in accordance with Administrative Code ?17-194.1 which includes maintaining a proper cooling tower water treatment program. Statewide, including in New York City, owners of all cooling towers must also comply with New York State Sanitary Code (SSC) Part 4, which includes registration with and reporting requirements to the New York State Department of Health.DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROPOSED UPDATES TO TITLE 24Today, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is proposing to add a new Chapter 8 (Cooling Towers) to Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York to establish rules for maintenance of cooling towers to minimize potential contamination by Legionella bacteria to prevent outbreaks of Legionnaires? disease. This new Chapter 8 will further the work of Local Law 77, and require building owners to provide cooling tower maintenance and testing records to the NYC Department of Health.Chapter 8?s provisions that are equivalent to the State Sanitary Code Part 4. This proposed Chapter is organized differently than the State Sanitary Code requirements; more terms are defined in this Chapter and more detailed instructions for management and maintenance are provided than those contained in SSC Part 4 to facilitate compliance with both the City and State rules and requirements.To ratify these changes, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued their Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Amendments to Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York. (You can find a link to the DOHMH Notice at the end of this post.)According to the NYC Rules website, here are the proposed changes to Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York. It adds a new Chapter 8, which includes the following sections:8-01 Scope and applicability: applicable to all owners and operators of buildings and other premises that are equipped with cooling towers.8-02 Definitions: to facilitate compliance with and enforcement of these rules, more terms are defined in this Chapter than in the corresponding sections of either Administrative Code or SSC Part 4.8-03 Maintenance program and plan: the requirements of this section exceed those of SSC Part 4, including specific routine maintenance tasks; identification of persons responsible for various functions; identifying system components; and establishing a system risk management assessment to identify areas that may create problems and lead to proliferation of Legionella bacteria.8-04 Process control measures: this section establishes requirements for routine monitoring, to be conducted at least weekly by a ?responsible person?? under the supervision ? remote or on-site — of the ?qualified person?? identified in SSC Part 4, and for compliance inspections, to be conducted at least every 90 days, by the qualified person. It specifies standards for maintenance, cleaning, and parts replacement; and requires installation of high efficiency drift eliminators in all new and retrofitted cooling tower systems and in existing ones, where practicable.8-05 Water treatment: this section specifies requirements for automatic treatments, use of chemicals and biocides, and monitoring water quality characteristics/parameters, and establishes a schedule for sampling for Legionella and other bacteria including requiring additional sampling when certain events occur. This section also mandates the use of certain qualified laboratories for analysis and requires reporting levels of Legionella at a certain magnitude to the Department within 24 hours of obtaining test results; and specifies corrective actions for various levels of bacteria. Although the 2014 New York City Plumbing Code Appendix C authorizes use of rainwater or recycled water as makeup water for cooling towers, it does not require disinfection for Legionella bacteria before use. These rules prohibit such use unless owners use additional control measures approved by the Department that protect against cooling tower system contamination since the Department believes that this water may not meet public health standards and may tend to support microbial growth.8-06 System shutdown and start-up; commissioning new cooling towers: this section sets forth requirements for pre-seasonal cleaning and disinfection and for new cooling towers being placed into use.8-07 Records: this requires the maintenance of records of all activities and that such records be made available for immediate inspection by the Department at the premises where the cooling tower is installed.8-08 Modification: authorizes the Commissioner to modify the application of a provision of these rules where compliance imposes an undue hardship and would not otherwise be required by law, provided that the modification does not compromise public health concerns.8-09 Penalties: establishes a schedule of penalties for initial and subsequent violations within the limits set forth in Administrative Code ?17-194.1.DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC HEARING ON COOLING TOWER LEGISLATION71016A.png The NYC DOHMH will hold a public hearing on these proposed rules. The hearing will take place from 10AM to 12PM on January 4, 2016 at:The New York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneGotham Center42-09 28th Street, 14th Floor, Room 14-43Long Island City, NY 11101-4132Anyone is permitted to attend the hearing and/or comment on the proposal. The DOHMH has given the following ways to communicate public commentary:Website: You can submit comments to the Department through the NYC rules Web site at http://rules.cityofnewyork.usEmail: You can email written comments to liaMvog.cyn.htlaeh|stnemmocnoituloser#liaMvog.cyn.htlaeh|stnemmocnoituloser: You can mail written comments to:New York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneOffice of General CounselAttn: Svetlana Burdeynik42-09 28th Street, 14th FloorLong Island City, NY 11101-4132Fax: You can fax written comments to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 347-396-6087.Speaking at the hearing: Anyone who wants to comment on the proposal at the public hearing must sign up to speak. You can sign up before the hearing by calling at 347-396-6078. You can also sign up in the hearing room before or during the hearing on January 4, 2016. You can speak for up to five minutes.GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE FULL NOTICEIf you would like to read the full copy of the DOH?s notice, please fill out the form below for an instant link. This document fully outlines all of the sections of the newly proposed Chapter 8 including the full requirements for maintenance, operation, and ongoing water treatment of cooling towers in New York City. There is no charge for this information and it is freely available online.FREE DOWNLOAD: Get the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene?s Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Amendments to Title 24 of the Rules of the City of New York here:About Clarity Water TechnologiesClarity Water Technologies is known throughout the east coast as an innovative industrial/commercial water treatment company and the innovators of 360 Degree Legionella Management Service. To put it simply: As New York City's Top Environmental Consultants, we make commercial HVAC and industrial process machinery last longer and run more efficiently, with less fuel and less downtime, by chemically treating the water that runs through it. Typical systems that we treat include steam boilers, chillers and cooling towers; however, we also offer advanced wastewater, glycol services, odor control and fuel treatment services. We are one of Northeast?s most trusted Legionella remediation companies and are widely accepted as one of the best consulting firms to establish best practices for the implementation of ASHRAE Standard 188 - Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems.As environmental consultants specializing in water treatment, we know that chemistry is only one part of what makes a cooling tower system operate at peak performance. The other part of the equation is proper physical cleaning, disinfection and maintenance. Today, Clarity offers one of the most reliable and effective cooling tower disinfection services available throughout NY, NJ, CT, DE, MD and PA. Clarity is a NADCA Certified HVAC Cleaning Service Company. Our team also offers on-line cleanings, chlorine dioxide disinfection, Legionella remediation and installation of the EcoSAFE Solid Feed System?one of the most advanced water treatment systems for Cooling Towers in the world! Please contact us today for a free estimate on your next project.New York City Water Treatment Expert and Environmental Consultant, Greg Frazier has a vast knowledge of Industrial Boiler Water Treatment and is currently the Managing Partner of Clarity Water Technologies, one of the top Environmental Consulting firms in New York. Mr. Frazier has over 19 years of Industrial Water Treatment experience and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Clarity Water Technologies specializes in comprehensive water treatment services. Clarity's service goes far beyond administering Cooling Tower Water Treatment chemicals - it also includes Cooling Tower Maintenance and HVAC Cleaning Services. - Comments: 0

Cooling Tower Water Treatment Test Kit Complies With Ny Legionella Law - 25 Jul 2019 08:38

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Once complete, cogeneration facility will supply half of total power needs at the wastewater treatment plantSlayden Constructors, Inc. (Slayden), a division of MWH Constructors, Inc. (MWHC), has been selected by the City of Salem, Ore., to provide turnkey construction services for the $13M Willow Lake Cogeneration Facility Upgrade project. Construction on the project is slated to begin in February 2019 with completion by mid-summer 2020.Originally constructed in 1988, the Willow Lake Cogeneration Facility is one of 11 facilities in Oregon currently using biogas to produce clean, renewable energy from the byproduct wastewater treatment. Cogeneration facilities recover biogas to produce two types of energy, heat and electricity, which offer operational efficiencies, cost savings and environmental benefits.?It is a privilege to partner again with the City of Salem on the Willow Lake Cogeneration Facility Upgrade project,?? said Ryan Imel, project manager at Slayden. ?This project is a great example of innovation in renewable energy and environmental stewardship and our commitment to helping clients achieve their energy goals to positively impact the community.??The current cogeneration system generates up to 650 kilowatts (kW) of electricity and can no longer process the amount of biogas being produced. The upgraded cogeneration system will more efficiently and reliably generate up to 1,200 kW of electricity, nearly 50 percent of the total electricity needed to operate the Willow Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant for a year, web page or enough energy to power 900 homes. The treatment plan provides wastewater services to residents in the cities of Salem, Turner and Keizer. "This upgrade is expected to reduce the amount of pollution-causing gases released into the atmosphere by 5,000 metric tons and will save the City of Salem more than $300 thousand per year in energy costs,?? said Jeff Garner, senior vice president at MWHC and managing director of Slayden. ?The project is a perfect example of our commitment to ?Building a Better World? and we?re pleased to be working with such a progressive city in providing a positive environmental and economic impact.??As the prime contractor, Slayden will provide the entire project scope and will be self-performing demo, civil, concrete, mechanical and piping.The groundbreaking for the project took place earlier this month and was hosted by Salem, Keizer, and their funding partners, Portland General Electric (PGE) and the Energy Trust of Oregon. The ceremony was attended by Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett, Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, Peter West, director of Energy Programs at Energy Trust, and Bill Nicolson, senior vice president of Transmission and Distribution for PGE.About Slayden Constructors Inc.Slayden. is a leader in the construction industry, with a primary focus on water and wastewater. Founded in 1984, and based in Stayton, Oregon, Slayden is built on strong values, hard work and a commitment to getting the job done right. The success of this company is best expressed through their efforts to provide a safe work place with respected employees and a committed management team. The company?s approach has provided steady growth in work volume, successful career development for personnel, and an extensive list of satisfied clients for more than 30 years. For more information, visit slayden.com.About MWH ConstructorsMWH Constructors is a global project delivery company with a focus on water and energy. With the ultimate goal of delivering maximum value to clients and their local communities, MWH Constructors provides single-source, integrated design and construction services and a full range of project delivery methods. Incorporating industry-leading preconstruction services and safety practices, the company?s multi-disciplined team of engineering and construction professionals delivers a wide range of projects, including new facilities, infrastructure improvement and expansion, and capital construction services. For more information, visit www.mwhconstructors.com. - Comments: 0

Why is Not The Biocide during My Cooling Tower Working? :: Momar - 25 Jul 2019 08:21

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Molecular chelating agents are used in many areas ranging from laundry detergents to paper pulp processing to precious metal refining. However, some chelating agents, especially the most effective ones, do not degrade in nature and may pollute the environment. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering are developing machine learning procedures to discover new chelating agents that are both effective and degradable.Dr. John Keith, a Richard King Mellon Faculty Fellow in Energy and assistant professor of chemical engineering at Pitt, is principal investigator; and Dr. Eric Beckman, Distinguished Service Professor of chemical engineering and co-director of Pitt's Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, is co-PI. Their project titled "SusChEM: Machine learning blueprints for greener chelants" will receive $299,999 from the NSF."Chelating agents are molecules that bind to and isolate metal ions dissolved in water," explains Dr. Keith. "Cleaning detergents normally don't work well in hard water because of metal ions like magnesium and calcium interfering. That's why commercial detergents typically include some chelating agents to hold up those metal ions so the rest of the detergent can focus on cleaning." While chelating agents are valued for their ability to bind strongly to different metal ions, researchers are also factoring how long it takes them to degrade in the environment and their probabilities of being toxic when searching for more effective chelate structures. "Many of the widely used chelating agents we use end up in water runoffs, where they can be somewhat toxic to wildlife and sometimes to people as well," says Dr. Beckman.Developing new chelating agents so far has relied on trial and webpage error experimentation. Dr. Beckman continues, "In the past, folks have tried to create better chelating agents by tweaking existing structures, but whenever that produces something less toxic, the chelating agent winds up being much less effective too. We're trying a new approach that uses machine learning to look through much larger and more diverse pools of candidate molecules to find those that would be the most useful."The Pitt research team will use quantum chemistry calculations to develop machine learning methods that can predict new molecules that would be more effective and greener than existing chelating agents. While computational quantum chemistry can be used to screen through a thousand hypothetical chelating agents in a year, machine learning methods based on quantum chemistry could be used to screen through 100,000s of candidates per week. Once the researchers identify promising candidates, they will synthesize and test them in their labs to validate the efficacy of the machine learning process for designing greener chemicals.The results of the research will have a significant impact on a range of topics relevant to environmentally-safe engineering and the control of metals in the environment, including computer-aided design of greener chelating agents used in detergents, treatments of heavy metal poisoning, metal extractions for soil treatments, waste remediation, handling normally occurring radioactive materials from hydraulic fracturing sites, and water purification."Chelating agents are used in such a wide range of industries, so even a small improvement can have a big impact on sustainability as a whole," says Dr. Keith. - Comments: 0

Penetron Technology Helps Power New Hydro Plant In Tajikistan - 25 Jul 2019 08:20

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Insects replace pesticides in Spain's 'Sea of Plastic' Antonio Zamora no longers puts on a suit to spray his crops with insecticides, instead hanging small bags of mites on the plants that attack parasites while sparing the produce"They work for me night and day," smiles Antonio Zamora, standing in his greenhouse. His minuscule employees are bugs that feed on the parasites threatening his peppers.Zamora, like most of his colleagues, webpage no longer sprays his crops with pesticides, instead hanging small bags of mites on the plants, leaving them to attack parasites while sparing his produce.He owns two hectares (five acres) in the so-called "Sea of Plastic", some 30,000 hectares of greenhouses in southeastern Spain's Almeria province, where much of Europe's fruits and vegetables are grown.The sparkling mosaic of white plastic bordering the Mediterranean?which is visible from space?produces tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, peppers and aubergines all year round to supply Europe's supermarkets.Last year 2.5 million tonnes of produce was exported from Almeria, half of Spain's total vegetable exports.Like Zamora, virtually all pepper growers in Almeria have replaced insecticides with so-called "biological control" using insects.About 60 percent of tomato growers have done the same, along with a quarter of courgette producers, according to the producers' association Coexphal.Consumption of insecticides in Almeria?where agriculture employs some 120,000 people and accounts for 20 percent of economic output?has dropped by 40 percent since 2007, according to local authorities.Like Zamora, virtually all pepper growers in Almeria have replaced insecticides with so-called "biological control" using insects. The photograph shows a red velvet mite on a pepper plant flowerA trillion insects The use of insecticides surged in the 1960s, but farmers have adopted new methods under pressure from consumer groups as well as the fact that their crops have become increasingly resistant to the chemicals."We have had to change course. The use of pesticides became excessive," said Jan van der Blom, an expert in biocontrol at Coexphal.Encarnacion Samblas of environmental group Ecologists in Action described the change as a "very positive step"."In many cases the reduction in the use of chemical products has been drastic, and the substances that are still in use are softer," she said.French agricultural cooperative InVivo, which has yearly sales of 5.5 billion euros ($6.2 billion), recently opened a "biofactory", Bioline Iberia, in the heart of the Sea of Plastic.Inside hermetically closed rooms with tightly controlled temperature and humidity levels, employees raise four species of mites to be sold in the region as well as in Portugal and Morocco.The "Sea of Plastic", some 30,000 hectares of greenhouses in southeastern Spain's Almeria province, produces much of Europe's fruits and vegetablesThe company projects production of a trillion insects this year.Several other factories of the same type have sprung up in recent years around the Sea of Plastic, and roughly 30 firms sell insects, at steadily decreasing prices."Spain can be considered the largest area in Europe and perhaps the world in terms of the use of biological control," said Bioline Iberia director Federico Garcia.Chemicals still prevalentBut the road to truly green farming remains long, said Samblas of Ecologists in Action, noting that many farmers still use fungicides and various other substances to disinfect soils."Farmers continue to use chemicals in a not very rational way, because they are recommended, they are sold to them. Often they use them as a routine, without really knowing why," she said.Even "organic" greenhouses?with 2,000 hectares certified as such or seeking the label?often pay little heed to biodiversity or fail to take proper care of the soil, the ecologist said.The Nesidiocoris tenuis, shown here, is a predator of the whitefly, which attacks peppersShe noted that European regulations on these issues are lacking.An increase in the amount of land used for farming has put pressure on water resources in an arid region, Samblas added.Agronomist Jose Manuel Torres warned that year-round farming methods favour the growth of parasites, arguing that the region should halt production during the summer.Samblas noted another problem: old greenhouse plastics often find their way into the Mediterranean. - Comments: 0

Global Chelating Agents Market In Transition - 25 Jul 2019 07:47

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If you are a building owner in New York operating a cooling tower, you have probably heard all kinds of theories about the "new rules" for maintaining them. As per the new cooling tower laws that were recently passed in both New York City and New York State, cooling towers that exist in the Five Boroughs of NYC must be electronically registered with both the city and state; and with just the state for the rest of counties throughout New York. All cooling towers throughout the entire State of New York were required to be registered through their appropriate websites by no later than September 17th, 2015. There is a New York City Cooling Tower Registration Website and a New York State Cooling Tower Registration Website that have been set up for this purpose. This post will explain who is responsible for registering NY cooling towers and what information will be required now and in the future.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had made it clear that it is taking the registration process very seriously. The DOH has gone so far as to subpoena various organizations, including water treatment companies and cooling tower maintenance companies, that may have information as to the specific locations of cooling tower throughout the city. These organizations have been asked to provide detailed information about every cooling tower that they are aware of throughout the five boroughs of NYC.The bottom line is: If you are a property owner in New York and you have a cooling tower on your property, there are new laws that you need to comply with. If you haven't registered your cooling tower yet, you should probably do so immediately. The NY City and NY State DOH has made it pretty clear that they are not going to be too lenient on outliers.Who is responsible for registering NY cooling towers?According to the laws, the ultimate responsibility for registering a NY State or New York City Cooling Tower lies with the building owner. Both the NY City and NY State Cooling Tower Laws hold the building owner accountable for cooling tower registration, ongoing maintenance and record keeping. Building tenants that own and/or operate cooling towers at their location may be responsible to act in accordance with the law via contract or agreement with their landlords, but it is the building owner that is ultimately responsible for compliance with the laws; and it will be the building owner that faces fines and penalties for not complying with law.Does my cooling tower need to be registered even if it doesn?t work or we no longer use it?Yes. The new laws pertain to all cooling towers, evaporating condensers and/or fluid coolers, and regardless of whether they are operational, they must be registered. In the event of a decommissioned system, the owner is required to notify the appropriate departments (NY City DOH, NY State DOH, or both) within 30 days after removing or permanently discontinuing its use. The cooling tower must be drained and sanitized in compliance with the requirements of the NY City and State Departments of Health for discontinuance of a cooling tower.What kind of information do I need to have ready to register my cooling tower in NY?When you first log into the New York City and New York State registration websites, you will need to choose a User Name and Password. Make sure that you write these down and keep them with your cooling tower maintenance records. The website for webpage the city and state are not identical, but they do ask for a lot of the same information, which includes:Address of the building at which the cooling tower is located;County of Building, if in New York City, Borough of Building;Block & Lot assigned by NYC Department of Finance (This can be obtained at http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bispi00.jsp);Building Identification Number (Your BIN # can be obtained at http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/bispi00.jsp);Intended use of cooling tower;Name, address, telephone number and email address of owner; Equipment Type (Cooling Tower, Fluid Cooler, Evaporative Condenser);Manufacturer and model number of the cooling tower;Specific unit serial number of the cooling tower;Cooling capacity (tonnage) of the cooling tower;Basin capacity of the cooling tower;Commissioning date of the cooling tower;Date of when Last Shutdown was started;Date of when Last Shutdown was ended;Date of Last Emergency Disinfection and Cleaning;Date of Last Routine Bacteriological Sample Collection;Test Results of Last Routine Bacteriological Sample;Date of Last Inspection; andWho performs the maintenance on the equipment (the name of your cooling tower water treatment company)What do I need to do after I register my cooling tower?Both the NY City and NY State Cooling Tower laws require that cooling towers have an ongoing maintenance program, quarterly inspections, and an annual certification. All of these must be documented and be made a part of your required record keeping.Here is a breakdown of what you need to do to be compliant with both the City and State Cooling Tower Laws:Ongoing Maintenance Plan for NY Cooling Towers ? Building owners must implement a maintenance program and plan for their cooling tower that is in accordance with sections 5, 6, and 7.2 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers Standard 188 ? Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015) and with the cooling tower manufacturer?s instructions. This will include a full water treatment program that controls microbiological activity, scale, and corrosion. The maintenance plan must be developed by a qualified person (ie. a licensed water treatment professional) and must be implemented and/or supervised by a person holding a 7G New York State Pesticide Applicators License, so that they may legally administer a biocide or legionella treatment. Click here to get your copy of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015.Quarterly Inspection and Testing of NY Cooling Towers ? At a minimum, cooling towers, other than cooling towers whose use has been permanently discontinued and for which a notice of such discontinuation has been sent to the Department of Buildings, shall be inspected and tested at least as frequently as every three months during periods of the year such cooling towers are in use.Your licensed water treatment professional may perform your inspection; however, all inspections must be performed in accordance with current standard industry protocols including, but not limited to, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015.Each inspection shall include an evaluation of:the cooling tower and associated equipment for the presence of organic material, biofilm, algae and other visible contaminants.the general condition of the cooling tower, basin, packing material, and drift eliminator;the water make-up connections and control;the proper functioning of the conductivity control; andthe proper functioning of all dosing equipment (pumps, strain gauges)Any deficiencies found during inspection will be reported to the owner for immediate corrective action. Your cooling tower inspector must document all deficiencies found during the inspection as well as any corrective actions that were completed. These findings, deficiencies, and corrective actions must be reported to the owner, recorded, and retained on site. All findings must also be reported to the New York STATE Department of Health.Each inspection shall include a test for the presence of microbes in the water of the cooling tower. NY State and NY City shall by rule establish (i) the targets and acceptable methods of microbial testing and laboratory analysis, (ii) the levels of microbes in cooling towers that are indicative of a maintenance deficiency requiring mitigation, including but not limited to maintenance to prevent potential health risks, and (iii) the levels of microbes in cooling towers that present a serious health threat and require immediate action and reporting.Where the results of any such test indicate levels of microbes that are indicative of a maintenance deficiency requiring mitigation, including but not limited to maintenance to prevent potential health risks, the owner of the building that has such cooling tower shall, within 48 hours after such owner knows or reasonably should know of such results, clean and disinfect the cooling tower in accordance with the rules of NY City and/or State.Where the results of any such test indicate levels of microbes that present a serious health threat, the owner of the building that has such cooling tower shall, within 24 hours after such owner knows or reasonably should know of such results, (i) notify the department and (ii) clean and disinfect the cooling tower, including an additional application of biocide, in accordance with the rules of NY City and/or State.Annual Certification of NY Cooling Towers ? The owner or operator of a cooling tower shall file a certification each year that such cooling tower was inspected, tested, cleaned and disinfected, that the condition of the cooling tower is appropriate for its intended use, and that a maintenance program and plan has been developed and implemented as required to be in compliance with New York City and New York State Cooling Tower Laws. Such certification shall be submitted by November 1, 2016 and by November 1 of each year thereafter. This applies to both the City and State laws.Recordkeeping Requirement for NY Cooling Towers ? A cooling tower owner shall keep and maintain records of all inspections findings, deficiencies, corrective actions, cleanings, disinfections, and tests performed pursuant to this section for at least three years. The owner shall maintain a copy of the maintenance program and plan required by the NY City and/or State cooling tower laws on the premises where the cooling tower is located. Such records and plan shall be made available to the NY City and/or State Department of Health immediately upon request.Isn?t that a lot of stuff to do? I never had to do this before.Yes, it?s a lot; and at first glance, it may even seem overwhelming. But there is some good news: if you are contracting one of top water treatment companies in New York to do your cooling tower water treatment, then you are probably already fulfilling most of the NY City and State requirements! A good water treatment company is already treating your cooling tower system to an industry accepted standard, they are most likely inspecting your tower on monthly basis, they are furnishing full reports of their findings and tests, and they are recommending, if not performing, seasonal cooling tower cleanings. So while the laws may seem overwhelming, most reputable water treatment companies will have no problems helping you stay in compliance.What are the websites where I need to register my NY cooling tower?For New York CITY Cooling Towers (including ALL FIVE BOROUGHS), please visit:New York City Cooling Tower Registration WebsiteFor New York STATE Cooling Towers, please visit:New York State Cooling Tower Registration WebsiteIMPORTANT NOTE: If you are in New York City, you MUST register on BOTH the New York City and New York State Registration websites.Is there anyone to help me?Yes, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is available to answer your questions regarding the cooling tower laws in NYC. If you already know what to do, but now need to comply, you can reach out to any one of the reputable water treatment companies. We are here to help and we can be reached at 888-616-3545.Where can I get a copy of the New York City and New York State Cooling Tower Regulations and Laws?You can download a copy of both the NY State and NY City laws through these links below:Please subscribe to our blog for the latest details on the New York City and New York State Cooling Tower Laws as they develop. Thanks for reading!Clarity Water Technologies is known throughout the east coast as an innovative industrial/commercial water treatment company and the innovators of 360 Degree Legionella Management Service. To put it simply: As New York City's Top Environmental Consultants, we make commercial HVAC and industrial process machinery last longer and run more efficiently, with less fuel and less downtime, by chemically treating the water that runs through it. Typical systems that we treat include steam boilers, chillers and cooling towers; however, we also offer advanced wastewater, glycol services, odor control and fuel treatment services. We are one of Northeast?s most trusted Legionella remediation companies and are widely accepted as one of the best consulting firms to establish best practices for the implementation of ASHRAE Standard 188 - Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems.As environmental consultants specializing in water treatment, we know that chemistry is only one part of what makes a cooling tower system operate at peak performance. The other part of the equation is proper physical cleaning, disinfection and maintenance. Today, Clarity offers one of the most reliable and effective cooling tower disinfection services available throughout NY, NJ, CT, DE, MD and PA. Clarity is a NADCA Certified HVAC Cleaning Service Company. Our team also offers on-line cleanings, chlorine dioxide disinfection, Legionella remediation and installation of the EcoSAFE Solid Feed System?one of the most advanced water treatment systems for Cooling Towers in the world! Please contact us today for a free estimate on your next project.New York City Water Treatment Expert and Environmental Consultant, Greg Frazier has a vast knowledge of Industrial Water Treatment and is currently the Managing Partner of Clarity Water Technologies, one of the best Environmental Consulting firms in New York. Mr. Frazier has over 19 years of Industrial Water Treatment experience and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Clarity Water Technologies specializes in comprehensive water treatment services. Clarity's service goes far beyond administering Cooling Tower Water Treatment chemicals - it also includes Cooling Tower Maintenance and HVAC Cleaning Services. - Comments: 0


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